Column-base.



BEST AVABLABLE COR G. L. PREACHER.

COLUMN BASE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, 1908.

Patented Oct. 27, 1908.

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G. L PREACHER.

COLUMN BASE.

APPLICATION 21mm JUNE 5,1908. Patented Oct. 27, 1908.

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Patented 0013. 27, 1908.

APPLICATION IILED JUNE 5,1908.

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G. L. PREACHER.

COLUMN BASE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5,1908.

902,448. Patented 00t.27,1908.

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anoantoz UNiTED STATES Parana errron COL U MN-B ASE Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented Oct. 27, 1908.

Application filed June 5, 1908. Serial No. 436,976.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEOFFREY LLOYD PREACHER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Augusta, in the county of Richmond and State ofGeorgia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Column Bases, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in bases or steps for columns,posts and the like, the object of the invention being to provide a baseor step which is susceptible of being inexpensively manufactured, whichis simple, strong and durable in construction, which is adapted to beinterlocked with and secured to the column or post in a firm manner, andwhich is also adapted to prevent the accumulation of moisture betweenthe lower end of the post or column and the supporting surface andpermit of. a free circulation of air therebetween to keep the adjacentsurfaces of the parts dry.

A further object of the invention is to provide a column base which, inaddition to being light of structure, has its parts securely tied andbraced to increase its strength to a maximum extent, and which may becast, molded or stamped out of any one of a number of suitablematerials, and employed in conjunction with posts of different materialsand of different cross-sectional forms.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a base or stepwhich may be employed as a coupling for connecting the rails of astairway with the newel post and baluster posts, for connecting therails of the railing of a porch with the porch columns and balusterposts thereof, and for many other analogous and useful purposes.

. The invention consists of the features of construction, combinationand arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is atop plan view of a form of base embodying my invention adapted for usewith round rails, columns or posts. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of thesame. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through the base and lowerend of the column. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a slightly modified formof base for round columns, posts or rails. Fig.

5 is a transverse section of the same. Fig. 6 is a fragmentarycrosssection through the base and elevation of the lower end of thecolumn, illustrating the interlocking connection. Fig. 7 is a bottomplan view of the column. Fig. Sis a top plan view of a form of base forsquare columns, posts or rails. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the same.Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a base or step for baluster posts,andwhich may also be used as a coupling for connecting rails with newelposts, porch columns, etc. Fig. 11 is a view showing the use of theforms of the invention in a porch railing. Fig. 12 is a detailhorizontal section thereof. Fig. 13 is a view showing the use of theforms of the invention for connecting the parts of a stair railing. Fig.14is a detail side viewof a feature thereof.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, of the drawings, 1 designates thecolumn base or step, which may be cast, molded or stamped of iron,steel, fiber or any suitable plastic material, or be formed of wood orstone, as may be desired or circumstances may require. As illustrated inthe'present instance, it is generally of rectangular form and comprisesa top wall 2 provided with depending side walls 3, which are adapted tobear at their lower edges upon the surface of the floor or base fromwhich the column is supported. These walls are provided with recesses 4eX- tending through their lower edges, for a purpose hereinafterdescribed. The walls 3 form and bound a chamber or cavity 5 below thetop wall 2, which latter is provided with a central circular opening 6,and preferably with a raised surface 7 surrounding said opening and onwhich the lower end of the column 8 is adapted to seat. In theconstruction disclosed in such figures, the raised portion 7 consists ofan upstanding rib, from the inner edge of which projects an annular seatflange 9 extending around and forming the marginal wall of the opening6. This flange is provided at intervals with notches 10 and between thenotches with openings 11 for the upward passage of fastening devices,such as screws, designed to enter the bottom of the column and to assistin securing the same to the base.

Depending from the top wall 2 and arranged within the chamber or cavity5 is an annular flange or bearing member 12 provided at its lower edgein line with the corners of the side walls with recesses 13. The loweredge of this flange lies flush with the lower edges of the side walls 3and bears with the same against the floor or supporting surface uponwhich the base rests, thus reinforcing the top wall 2 to effectuallysustain the weight of the column or post and adding materially to thestrength of the structure of the base. [it the points opposite therecesses 4 in the depending rim or side walls 3 the flange or bearingmember 12 is intact, so that said flange forms a bearing at such points,thereby insuring an equal bearing of the base on all the underlyingboards or surfaces of the floor or .foundation. The strength anddurability of the post is further increased by the use of braces 14disposed in the cavity or chamber and connecting the flange or bearingmember 12 with the side walls at the corners or points of intersectionof the latter. These braces are cut away in line with the recesses inthe bearing member, as shown at 14:, and such recesses are disposed outof alinement with and between the cut away portions or recesses of theside walls, so as to cause an eflective circulation of air through andaround the cavity or chamber and the base of the post to prevent theaccumulation of moisture and to keep the surfaces dry. The cut awayportions or recesses of the several parts also provide for the passageof water below the base of the column or post, so as to prevent theretention of water when the post or column is exposed to the elements.

The base of the column or post 8 may be plane or flat to rest upon therim or raised portion 7, but in order to increase the strength anddurability of the connection and to hold the lower end of the columnslightly spaced above the level or top of the wall 2, the bottom of thecolumn may be formed with a circular boss 15 to rest upon the saidraised portion 7 and with a circular extension or step 16 to fit withinthe opening 6. Upon the bottom. of the column is arranged a series ofradial locking keys 17 which may consist of angularly bent stripintegral with or fastened to the column and having offsets or hookedportions to project beneath the looking or seat flange 7 and thus forman interlocking connection between the column and base, adding securityto the connection. The locking keys are spaced and disposed to registerwith the notches 10 and are adapted to be brought into alinementtherewith, so that upon partly rotating the column or base the keys maybe brought to lie below said locking or seat flange, while by reverserotary movement of one of said parts the column and base may bedisconnected after the withdrawal of the screws or other fastenings,when such are used.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the inventionprovides a column base or step which, while simple of construction,possesses maximum strength and durability, and is designed to supportand hold the column elevated above the surface of the floor or otherfoundation in an effective manner to prevent the accumulation ofmoisture and afford free circulation of air, whereby injury to the lowerend of the column, or rotting thereof when a wooden column is used, willbe obviated. The construction employed also adapts the base to bemanufactured and sold at a comparatively low cost, and made of a varietyof materials.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, a base 1 of slightlymodified form is shown for use in connection with a round column or post8 which is flat or plane surfaced at its lower end. to rest squarelythereon, such a post or column being illustrated in Fig. 7. In allmaterial respects the base is of the same form and construction as thatshown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the most important difference being that theseat flange 6 has its upper surface lying flush with the raised portion7 to increase the extent of supporting surface for the column, a featureof advantage where the column is not provided with a pro jection toenter the opening. In Figs. 8 and 9 I have shown still another modifiedform of base 1 as designed for supporting square columns or posts orcolumns or posts of other angular form in cross-section. Here the entire upper surface of the top wall is plane, with all of its portionsflush to form a flat support for the lower end of the column, which mayoccupy the full extent of the surface of the top wall, thus providingfor the support of angular posts or columns of considerable thicknesswithout the necessity of increasing the size of the base. In the form ofthe invention illustrated in Fig. 10, wherein the base, 1, is especiallydesigned for supporting baluster posts or columns of stairs havinginclined rails, the general structure and form of the upper surface ofthe base may accord with any of the other forms disclosed, but the loweredges of the side walls and the interior annular flange or bearingmember are inclined, as shown at 18, from one side to the other of thebase to adapt the latter to rest upon a correspondingly inclinedsurface, while its upper surface remains in a horizontal plane to form aseat for the lower end'of the vertical column or post.

It will be understood, of course, that the device may be used as a baseor step for columns and posts of various kinds, and as a support for apart wherever it is desired to hold the part spaced from a base surfacefor the purpose of permitting. of the free passage of water and securingventilation to keep the adjacent surfaces of the parts dry.

In Figs. 11 to 14, inclusive, I have illustrated some of the varioususes to which my improved base pieces or steps may be put. In thearrangement shown in Figs. 1 1 and 12, the bases are shown employed ascouplings for connecting the upper and lower rails 20 of a porch railingwith a column 8'" and connecting the baluster posts 21 with the lowerrail. As illustrated, the column 8 a is mounted at its lower end uponthe base or step 1 of the construction disclosed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3,while upon the side of the column are fixed base pieces or steps 1corresponding in general form to the base 1 shown in Figs. 8 and 9,except that the edges of the side walls and interior flange of the basesare' curved on an are, as at 8, to conform to the contour of thatportion-of the column against which they bear. These steps or basepieces operate in this connection as coupling brackets for attaching theadjacent ends of the rails 20 to the column, said brackets being fixedt0 the column in any preferred manner, as by the use of bolts passingthrough the openings 11 therein, while the ends of the rails areprovided with keys 17 to interlock with the base pieces, as hereinbeforedescribed, thus firmly, yet detachably, connecting the rails with thecolumn. The lower ends of the baluster posts 21 are seated upon basepieces 1 of the type shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and which are secured tothe lower rails 20, it being understood that said posts are providedwith keys to interlock with the base pieces. By this construction theparts of the railing may be quickly and conveniently assembled, and asreadily disassembled, and provision is made for the ventilation and theescape of water from between the parts at the points where they arejoined.

In Figs. 13 and 14, I have shown the base pieces 1 and 1 employed,respectively, as a base support for a newel post 8 and couplings for therails 20 and baluster posts 21 of the stairway, in which the rails areinclined in the usual manner. Where the newel post 8 is of circular format its lower end, a sup orting base corresponding to the base 1 or ase 1may be employed. The ends of the rails 20" are provided with keys tointerlock with the brackets 1, which have their inclined bases arrangedto bear against the face of the post 8 and which are secured to the postin any suitable manner, as by bolts or screws passing through theopenings 11 therein. The baluster posts 21 of the rails are alsodetachably connected at their lower ends in a similar manner with thecorresponding brackets 1 secured to the lower rail 20 and having theirinclined faces bearing against said rail. The form of the brackets 1, itwill be apparent, adapts them tobe attached to the newel post and lowerrail in such a manner as to preserve the relative arrangement of theparts of the stairway, and the advantages of coupling such parts in thismanner, so as to adapt them to be firmly held and readily disconnectedwhen occasion requires, will be apparent without further description.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1.A column base comprising a body embodying a top wall having an openingtherein and depending supports for holding said top wall at anelevation, said top wall being provided with recesses in the margin ofsaid opening and communicating therewith.

2. A column base having an elevated top wall provided with an openingtherein and formed in the marginal edge of said opening with recesses.

3. A column base having an elevated top wall provided with an openingtherein, and formed with a raised portion beyond and surrounding theopening, and an extension projecting into the opening, said extensionbeing provided at intervals with notches or recesses.

A column base having an elevated top wall and a cavity beneath the same,said top wall being provided with an opening communicating with thecavity and having a depressed flange surrounding and forming the marginof said opening, said flange being provided with notches or recesses.

5. A support for columns comprising a hollow base having an elevated topwall provided with an opening therein and provided with recessescommunicating with said opening, and a column adapted to rest at itsbase upon said top wall and provided with projections adapted to bepassed through said recesses and to engage beneath the top wall tointerlock the base and column.

6. A column base comprising a body embodying a top wall and dependingside walls, said top wall being formed with an opening and recesses inthe marginal edge of the opening, and a bearing member disposed in thebase and extending downwardly from the top wall.

7. A column base comprising a hollow body having an elevated top wallprovided with an opening and recesses at intervals around the marginaledge of the opening, and formed with a depending bearing member, andbraces connecting said bearing member with the sides of the body.

8. A column base comprising a rectangular body embodying a top wallprovided with an opening and having recesses communicating with saidopening, side Walls depending from said top Wall and supporting thelatter the top Wall and inelosed by the side Walls, at an elevation, abearing member connected the lower edges of said side Walls and bearingat its upper end With the top Wall around the flange being inclined fromone side of the marginal Wall of the opening and depending base of thestep to the other. 5 between said side Walls, and braces connect- Intestimony whereof I afiiX my signature 1-5 ing said bearing member Withthe corner porin presence of tWo Witnesses. tions of the side Walls.GEOFFREY LLOYD PREACHER.

9. A column base or the like oornprising a 'Witnesses: top Wall, sideWalls depending from the top CLAUDE P. BACON, 10 Well, and a bearingflange depending from R. J. PARKS.

